Chapter 15
Serenity glares at the three obstacles blocking her path. She has never fought anyone and they mistake her fear for weakness. They begin to fan out, intending to surround her. Another flash of light and scream from Ayva, distracting them for a moment. The sky above erupts with a supernatural purple light and Serenity feels it! The magic of the Saints and Guardians! The three warriors scream and run directly at her. Too late, they are blown away when Serenity reaches towards the light and is engulfed by the mystical purple ribbon. She is lifted into the air as the Guardians of the world flood her with their power. When her feet touch the earth and her eyes snap open, her attackers begin to tremble in fear. They lash out with the power of the guardians, and Serenity absorbs it reflecting it back at them.
The resulting screams echoes down the corridor, drawing Ayva towards it.
“Betrayers! Because you have shunned the gifts of heaven, seeking power for your own selfish desires, you will be judged,” Serenity’s speaks and her voice is joined by the multitude of Saints. Drawing on the powers gifted to her, Serenity seizes the water surrounding their legs and causes it to flow over top of the three warriors, then freezes it, effectively holding them in place.
“You will be judged, but not by me. Your fellow guardians will be given that job,”
Serenity hurries past them towards to fountain, it is calling to her. The water begins to glow, her mouth is so dry. Just one sip…she thinks as she reaches for it, only twenty feet more! Michael rushes through the doorway opened by his father, just in time to watch Serenity reach for the fountain. Nick and Noel follow closely with the boys. They all hold their breath as she cups her hand into the well and prepares to drink.
Nathan screams as he is ripped from his family into Ayva’s arms. Her once lush black mane of hair is now gray, and her skin withered like rotten fruit. At Nate’s throat she holds a dagger and it trembles beneath her gnarled fingers.
“Step away from the Well of Souls, human!” Ayva shrieks.
Serenity’s purple eyes snap to Nathan’s, and the snowflakes appear, dancing just beneath the violet surface. She tilts her hand releasing the water back into the well and steps forward. Ayva backs away dragging Nathan with her. With her back to the stone wall she presses the knife a little deeper into his throat. His large brown eyes are scared and he flinches when he feels the bite of the blade. Michael is terrified, he holds Sincere back and they hear Serenity speak.
“Ayva, release the child. The well is yours, come and claim it.”
Serenity whispers to Nathan’s mind, “Do you like magic, Nate? I know you do. I want you to look into my eyes but do not blink.”
The moment Serenity closes her eyes, she feels the power run through her, the power of all the Saints and the Guardians of the world. That power is made stronger because of the love this family has for this child. In a flash, Nathan is standing near the fountain and Serenity is held in the arms of the betrayer.
“Now, Nathan!” Serenity calls out.
A collective gasp rings out, when Nathan reaches into the fountain and drinks. Ayva screams and plunges her knife deep into Serenity’s heart! The purple power erupts from Serenity, her last act as the Winter Queen, is too destroy Ayva. She sends all the power gifted to her into Ayva’s body. Purple flames erupt all over Ayva’s form, she begins to scream as the pain envelopes her. Serenity drops to the earth below as a desperate Ayva lunges for the fountain, hoping to drink.
“Nooo!!” she wails. Nathan smiles when she realizes he has frozen the water! Furious she leaps at Nathan with clawed hands. Nick springs forward swinging his wooden staff towards Ayva, sending his power into her body and she screams in agony. Her body is unable to contain it and she explodes. Michael runs for Serenity, and cradles her in his arms. The dagger is embedded deeply in her chest, and his tears flow freely.
“No, Serenity!” he weeps holding her in his arms.
“Daddy, it’s okay.” From his coat pocket, Sincere pulls the jar he made for Serenity containing the Northern Lights.
“We figured it out, Dad.” Nathan says dropping beside his father. He takes Serenity’s hand and Sincere takes the other. Nick and Noel join the group followed by Adare and Daniel. Nate takes the jar and twists off the cap, handing the jar back to Sincere.
“It was always with us, but Serenity understood.” Nathan says as he gently pours the shimmery ribbons over Serenity. The ribbons saturate her body and the dagger lifts from her chest. Immediately the ribbons sink deep, tending to the deadly wound. When she begins to levitate, Michael holds on tightly, “NO,” he groans, but little hands grab his arms.
“Let her go, Daddy,” Nathan demands. Looking into his sons eyes he sees a flash of purple that takes his breath away. Slowly he nods and releases her to the mystical ribbons. She is lifted into the sky and the bands begin to spin around her body, circling, and twisting like a cyclone. Nathan tugs Sincere back towards the fountain then he unfreezes the water and fills the jar, before sealing it tight. He tucks it into his pocket and turns to watch Serenity.
Michael stands with his family watching in awe while Serenity is healed. The purple ribbons begin to change, shifting to a dazzling white light that blinds all in the vicinity. They are forced to close their eyes against the intensity of the brilliant beams. When the light fades they all gasp at the sight they behold. Serenity is held in the arms of large Angel. His
